Active Control Sports Bra

ABSTRACT

A smart garment to aid in reducing the motion of breasts when engaged in physical activities by providing active, electronic control of the resisting force on the breasts incorporating actuators and a motion sensor.

BACKGROUND/SUMMARY Background of the Invention 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to women's sports garments and particularly to a sports bra that is worn for support of the breasts during rigorous physical activities such as running, tennis, volleyball, football, soccer, gymnastics, etc.

Many women use sports bras to provide breast support and to aid in reducing breast motion while engaging in exercise or sports. The reduction of breast motion reduces pain or discomfort that would otherwise be felt. Without proper support during rigorous physical activity, breast tissue may be damaged.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Existing sports bras are typically made of elastic fabric that provides a compressive force upon the breasts. The unrestricted magnitude of travel of the breasts is a function of the mass of the breasts and speed of motion of the person. When a person is wearing an existing sports bra and is engaged in physical activities, the motion of the breasts is restricted by the force of the fabric on the breasts. The force exerted by the fabric is a function of the spring rate of the fabric and the amount of displacement of the fabric when worn. As the breast mass or person's speed increases, the spring rate or compressive force of the fabric must increase for the same breast travel. Women with larger breasts must therefore use bras with significantly high compressive force or wear multiple sports bras to sufficiently reduce breast travel. This high compressive force can be uncomfortable to the wearer. The thick fabric and/or multiple layers of fabric required to provide higher levels of support may provide little to no ventilation and cause excessive sweating.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of this invention to describe a sports bra that provides reduction to breast travel during physical activities by providing active control via electrically powered actuators.

DESCRIPTION Brief Description of the Drawings

FIG. 1 is an orthogonal view of the garment according to the invention with actuators shown attached to breast cups.

FIG. 2 is a back view of the garment according to the invention with controller assembly.

FIG. 3 is a view of the parts of the control system.

FIG. 4 is an orthogonal view of the garment according to the invention in an optional configuration with two sets of actuators shown attached to breast cups which provide resistance in different directions across the breast.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The active control sports bra 10 is comprised of a sports bra comprising of a front panel with left 27 and right 26 breast cups, back 25, sides 28 and straps 24, a controller 13 with actuators 11 to limit breast motion.

The sports bra fabric back 25, sides 28, cups 26, 27 and straps 24 are made primarily of an elastic material. The front panel with cups 26, 27 are made primarily of fabric that is preferably capable of conforming to the wearer's breasts and providing a comfortable but compressive force that holds the breasts in place. The fabric is preferably made of a material that is breathable and moisture wicking. The outer fabric may comprise one or more colors or designs and may include branding, logos or trademarks. The sports bra may be constructed of a single layer of fabric for the panels and breast cups or multiple layers. Multi-layer may be ideal for providing the durable, elastic outer condition while having a different inner material that is positioned against the wearer's skin and provides optimal comfort based on softness and perspiration absorbency.

The control system is comprised of actuator sets 11, 22, 23 for the left and right breasts, a controller 13 that includes a battery 14, logic module 15, on/off switch 16, and accelerometer 17. An optional Bluetooth module 18 can be included for connecting to a software application 20 within a smartphone 21 via a receiver 19 and is used for provided external accelerometer data or monitoring of the active control sports bra 10.

The battery 14 is integral to the active control sports bra 10. It is rechargeable or replaceable and powers the control system when the switch 16 is in the ON position.

The accelerometer 17 may be integral to the active control sports bra 10 or within a separate device such as a smart phone 21 which is remotely connected to the active control sports bra 10. The accelerometer 17 measures the direction and magnitude of acceleration of the person and sends that information to the logic module 15.

The actuators 11, 22, 23 are integral to the active control sports bra 10 and are powered by the integral battery 14 and given electrical commands via the logic module 15. The actuators are artificial muscle type where electrical current provided by the logic module 15 causes the actuator 11 fibers to contract. When the current is removed, the fibers release the contracting force. The ends of the actuator 11 fibers are connected to the breast cups 26, 27 of the sports bra. These fibers provide a contracting force when an electrical current is supplied to them. The actuators 11 are constructed within the sports bra in directions such that the contracting force acts in a direction opposite to the natural direction of travel of the breasts when involved in physical activity. Straps 12 provide a semi-rigid structure to ground the forces of the actuators 11 and transmit the electrical current from the logic module 15 to the actuators 11. Variations of the active control sports bra 10 include one, two, three or four sets of actuators 11 with each set providing a contractive force to the breasts in a different direction. With each additional set of actuators 11, total breast motion is further reduced.

The electrical logic module 15 is integral to the active control sports bra 10 and powered by the battery 14. It receives information in regards to motion of the wearer via the accelerometer 17 and provides commands to the actuators 11, 22, 23 for breast control based on internal programming. 

1. An actively controlled sports bra comprising: a front panel shaped to form breast cups that provide support of breasts; a back panel that covers the rear of the torso; side panels configured to encircle the wearer's torso, coupled to said front and back; shoulder straps coupled to said front and back; a battery that is rechargeable or replaceable; a switch for turning the bra on and off; a logic module, powered by said battery, that receives accelerometer data, and processes said accelerometer data; a plurality of actuators powered by said battery and receiving electrical commands from said logic module and connected to said breast cups to control breast motion.
 2. The bra of claim 1, wherein said accelerometer is attached to the bra within the control module and electrically connected to the logic module.
 3. The bra of claim 2, wherein said battery is rechargeable via wireless charging.
 4. The bra of claim 2, wherein said back incorporates an adjustable fastening system.
 5. The bra of claim 2, wherein said shoulder straps incorporate an adjustable length system.
 6. The bra of claim 2, wherein said front, back, side panels or shoulder straps are made of elastic material.
 7. The bra of claim 2, wherein said front, back, side panels or shoulder straps are made of a moisture wicking material.
 8. The bra of claim 2, wherein said front, back, side panels or shoulder straps are made of multiple fabric layers to provide elastic, structural support on the outside and a comfortable, moisture wicking fabric on the inside.
 9. The bra of claim 1, further comprising a Bluetooth module providing data to the logic module wherein said accelerometer data is provided by a separate device.
 10. The bra of claim 9, wherein said battery is rechargeable via wireless charging.
 11. The bra of claim 9, wherein said back incorporates an adjustable fastening system.
 12. The bra of claim 9, wherein said shoulder straps incorporate an adjustable length system.
 13. The bra of claim 9, wherein said front, back, side panels or shoulder straps are made of elastic material.
 14. The bra of claim 9, wherein said front, back, side panels or shoulder straps are made of a moisture wicking material.
 15. The bra of claim 9, wherein said front, back, side panels or shoulder straps are made of multiple fabric layers to provide elastic, structural support on the outside and a comfortable, moisture wicking fabric on the inside. 